Mavs Could Ink Dirk Nowitzki to $75-mil Extension

The job of keeping Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavericks next season and possibly beyond has begun.

Owner Mark Cuban said Monday that the team has opened discussions with the face of the franchise about locking him up. Nowitzki has the option of terminating the final year on his contract if he does so before July 1.

Cuban added that the Mavericks are going to pick up their team option for backup guard J.J. Barea for the 2010-11 season.

"We are definitely bringing J.J. back, and we are already in talks with Dirk about his deal," he said.

Cuban would not elaborate on whether a three-year extension might already be on the table for Nowitzki. That would be the longest addition the Mavericks could tack on at the moment. It could be worth the maximum allowed, approximately $75 million.